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San Francisco 49ers: 5 Lesser-Known Players to Watch in Training Camp

By Peter Panacy

Feb 25, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Stanford wide receiver Devon Cajuste speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Stanford wide receiver Devon Cajuste speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 25, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Cody Core (88) reaches for the end zone as he score a touchdown in front of LSU Tigers defensive back Rashard Robinson (21) in the first quarter at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Cody Core (88) reaches for the end zone as he score a touchdown in front of LSU Tigers defensive back Rashard Robinson (21) in the first quarter at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports /

Cornerback Rashard Robinson

On the flip side of the ball, the 49ers have equally as interesting a camp battle at cornerback.

It’s likely established defensive backs Tramaine Brock and Jimmie Ward secure the Nos. 1 and 2 positions, respectively. But who earns the depth spots remains an entirely open-ended question.

Former LSU corner Rashard Robinson may come with some red flags, but the Niners’ fourth-round draftee could be more than just a dark-horse candidate to earn a roster spot this season. Given the 49ers fluidity here, Robinson stands a good chance.

So far, Robinson has made a good impression on San Francisco’s coaching staff.

“What you love about him is, you like corners who have that dog in them, that confidence in him. He’s got that,” 49ers defensive backs coach Jeff Hafley said of Robinson, via Joe Fann of 49ers.com. “He’s competitive, and you’ve got to have that in you.”

That competitiveness was on display during the 49ers OTA sessions recently, according to Chris Biderman of NinersWire.com:

But Robinson will still have some hurdles to overcome. At 6-foot-1 and 171 pounds, Robinson is about as slender as it gets. Covering receivers in non-padded, no-contact drills is one thing.

Matching physicality in full-contact practices is another.

So that’s a good enough reason to see whether or not Robinson can excel at the next level.

Next: TE Busta Anderson